Item: INFOEX FOR PROFESSIONAL AVALANCHE EDUCATION: USING THE TOOL FOR COURSE RISK MANAGEMENT AND MEETING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Title: INFOEX FOR PROFESSIONAL AVALANCHE EDUCATION: USING THE TOOL FOR COURSE RISK MANAGEMENT AND MEETING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Sean Zimmerman-Wall [ American Avalanche Institute and AIARE, UT, USA ]
- Karin Pocock [ Silverton Avalanche School, CO, USA ]
- Chris Dyck [ Canadian Avalanche Association, British Columbia, CAN ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: For many avalanche education organizations, the documentation of daily avalanche forecasting and risk management has relied on internally developed paper forms and customized digital spreadsheets. The InfoEx, developed by the Canadian Avalanche Association and utilized by practitioners across the globe, is a daily exchange of technical snow, weather, avalanche and terrain information between subscribers. Its adoption in a wider variety of contexts and organizations has enabled comprehensive documentation of factors related to avalanche forecasting and operational decision-making. Several professional avalanche education entities now use the platform to document operational risk management. In addition, some are using the power of the tool to facilitate meeting student learning outcomes related to hazard assessment using the Conceptual Model of Avalanche Hazard (CMAH) and risk treatment plans. The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), the Silverton Avalanche School (SAS), and the Canadian Avalanche Association Industry Training Program (CAA ITP) all employ the tool in the delivery of their courses during the winter operating season. The purpose of this study is to define how operations are using the platform, explore the challenges they experience with its design and implementation, record insights related to operational decision-making, and identify emerging best practices in its usage. This information is gained through discussions with program managers tasked with InfoEx integration, review of InfoEx workflows, and synthesis of feedback from the different user groups of trainers and students. Capturing a baseline of how professional avalanche education organizations are currently utilizing the InfoEx can guide future development and implementation of the tool in educational settings. This insight is useful to all avalanche educators who consider ways to improve documentation and data-sharing tasks in their work.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P1.53.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790098842
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Sean Zimmerman-wall
Keywords: Avalanche Education, Avalanche Forecasting, Decision-Making, Information Exchange, Terrain, Operations and Program Management
Page Number(s): 2038 - 2045
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